most breeders have this doen before you get your pup, I got my chessie from the pound and he still has them. If your dog gets them ripped off it will bleed till you get him to the vet. I am debating whether to have them removed or wait and see. I hunt him in some thick stuff, so I should probably get them removed.

My dog still has hers. From what I've read (I don't have the original reference since it has been awhile, but I just found this online http://netpet.batw.net/articles/dewclaws.html and heard from other upland hunters the dew claws help the dog get traction on quick direction changes (i.e. following their nose or chasing a downed pheasant). Having the dew claws is also supposed to cut down on ACL injuries. I don't think its' as important for waterfowlers, but my impression is that serious uplanders like to leave them on their dogs. If injuries do occur then take 'em off.

I have seen dew claws catch on stuff and become a bloody mess only once though on a freinds Brittany dog.
I recently bought a pup that the breeder did remove the Dclaws, buit did a crappy job and they grew back all curly. I took her to the vet and had them removed.